10 essential tips to help you create the perfect Gallery Wall

So, what is a galley wall?

A gallery wall is just several pieces of art arranged beside each other on the same wall. They can be as large or as small as you desire and don’t need to be arranged in any particular order or pattern.

Gallery walls are a fun way to add a splash of color and creativity to a room. They’re especially effective on big walls which you can’t easily fill with one painting alone.

But assembling a Gallery wall can be a daunting task to those who haven’t attempted on before, and there are a couple of that pit falls that are easy to fall into.

Here are my 10 tips to make your gallery wall a success:

1.     Pick your art

First you need to decide on your theme. Do you want to only use pieces from the same artist? Do you want to showcase art from different artists all with a common theme?

If you’re going for an eclectic look, try to combine new and vintage pieces side-by-side. Browse the flea markets and secondhand shops to see what piques your interest.

For a more modern look, find art within one color palette, or try pieces of the same size that are from a single collection or have a unified theme.

2.     Pick a colour palette

Selecting the right colour palette is uber important, even if you’re going for a totally random look. For a gallery wall you’re going to want to find a color that not only ties the art back into the room but also ties the individual pieces together.

To make your gallery wall coherent, try to think about main colors you want to see and choose your art accordingly I would go with 2 main colours, possibly 3 depending on the type of art. Make one of those colours one that’s used throughout the room already, such as in the wallpaper, curtains or furnishings.

3.     Box it together

Choosing congruent frames is an easy way to carry a theme through your gallery wall. To play it safe, keep your frames cohesive and get them all in the same color. If you’re going for a more varied look, try keep some consistency but bend the rules where you can. For example, use bare wood frames for all the art but let the size and shape of the frame vary.

4.     Plan it out

Once you’ve decided your art and put it into frames, it’s time to work on the arrangement. I recommend laying everything out on the floor and playing around with the arrangement until you’re happy . Take photos of a few different options so you can compare them side by side. Then use that photo as a guide when it comes time to hang them on the wall.

5.     Toe the line

There’s a fine line between aesthetic in chaotic. The secret to avoid this is to choose a dominant/leading line in your arrangement and don’t break it. This way, even though your pieces are of all different sizes shapes, this line will bring continuity to the arrangement.

Some examples are :

• Grid arrangement (multiple horizontal and vertical lines)
• Top aligned
• Bottom aligned
• Middle aligned

6.     Take it to the next level

Just like every piece on your wall doesn’t have to be an image, every part of your gallery doesn’t have to be on your wall. If you place a gallery wall behind a chest of drawers or entertainment center, use the surface as part of your display. Allow the artwork to flow from the wall onto the floor from the wall onto the furniture.

This is another excellent and unexpected way to build layers into your design and add depth to your room.

7.     Give the furniture space

If your installation is going on a bare wall , then try and put the center of mass at around eye level.

If you’re working above a couch, bed, table or any other piece of furniture, then make sure to leave about 15 to 30 centimeters gap between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the paintings.

8.     Keep a uniform spacing

This is another good tip to stop things looking too chaotic. Try to Leave the same amount of space between frames. For small arrangements, try 50cm and see how that looks. For large arrangements, start at 100cm. Uneven space between frames (even if intentional) can easily make the arrangement come off as messy or amateur.

9.     Masking tape – the secret weapon

Take it from me, measuring tapes and pencil lines are way more hassle than they’re worth. Instead, use masking tape to mark out on your wall exactly where the paintings are going to go.

First, mark out your leading line (see tip #5 above ) so you can use this as a reference for the rest of your markings. You’ll also want to mark your boundary line with the furniture (Tip #7 ).

Then, as you hang each piece, cut small strips of tape to act as spacers and stick them around so you know exactly where the next frame is to go .

10. Work it out

Start with your largest piece that is referencing your leading line (Tip 5). Use a sprit level to hang and triple check that everything is square and level.

Then start working your way out from there. Taking time to check levels as you go. Watch out: If the first row is crooked or slanted, the whole gallery will be off.